Communication Device Platooning With Head-Device Reference Signal Reporting

Solution Overview

Problem

The continuous transmission of channel information from multiple communication devices in vehicle platooning leads to excess power usage and bandwidth issues in the network.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a platoon recommendation by obtaining mobility information, aligning communication devices, and designating a head device to report reference signal measurements on behalf of the platoon, reducing unnecessary measurements and transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple communication devices continuously transmit channel information, then mobility information is available for platooning, but power consumption increases and bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility information availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication devices are merged into a single platoon entity where only the head communication device transmits channel information. The mobility information from all devices is combined and processed by the network function to determine platoon recommendations, eliminating redundant transmissions while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission function is extracted from all communication devices and assigned only to the head communication device. The network function extracts and processes mobility information from multiple devices to make platoon formation decisions, separating the measurement role from the reporting role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple communication devices continuously transmit channel information, then mobility information is available for platooning, but network bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility information availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple communication devices are merged into a single platoon entity where only the head communication device transmits channel information. The mobility information from all devices is combined and processed by the network function to determine platoon recommendations, eliminating redundant transmissions while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission function is extracted from all communication devices and assigned only to the head communication device. The network function extracts and processes mobility information from multiple devices to make platoon formation decisions, separating the measurement role from the reporting role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If all communication devices perform reference signal measurements, then measurement coverage is complete, but energy consumption and network traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement reporting function is extracted from all communication devices and assigned only to the head communication device. All devices continue to perform measurements for local awareness, but only the head device reports to the network, eliminating redundant reporting while maintaining measurement capability across the platoon.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The head communication device acts as an intermediary between the network and other platoon members. It receives configuration from the network and relays relevant information to other devices, while they perform measurements locally without direct network communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12462688B2Platooning of communication devices

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, in a first network function, for providing one or more platoon recommendations for platooning of a plurality of communication devices the method comprising: obtaining mobility information for the plurality of communication devices; determining, based on the mobility information, a platoon recommendation comprising a subset of the plurality of communication devices to be grouped into a platoon and a head communication device of the subset of communication devices to be responsible for reporting reference signal measurements on behalf of the platoon; and transmitting the platoon recommendation to a second network function.